Many special-use fabrics are available on the market and make it possible to create functional items easily. Learning when to incorporate each end-use fabric will allow you to sew more efficiently and effectively. For example, try clear vinyl and quilted heat-resistant fabric. These unique fabrics are the stars of the Sewing With Nancy program, Sew Simple with Rectangles & Squares—the third episode. Watch online by clicking here.

Here’s a preview of the projects you’ll see demonstrated during the show.

Jewelry Caddies

I began this episode with a Jewelry Caddy duo, which fits all of the standards set for this show. The caddies use two sizes of fabric rectangles, specialty fabric (clear vinyl with a ribbon accent trim), and all the sewing is done with straight stitches. Best of all, the projects are attractive and very practical!

Closet Organizer

How about adding extra storage to your home without assembling knock-down furniture or remodeling a closet? Create portable, compact closet organizers with double-sided quilted fabric, clear vinyl, and ribbon trim. It’s another straight-stitched project that can hang in full sight or hidden behind a closet door.

Portable Ironing Blanket

Use the same dimensions and many of the same fabrics as the jewelry caddies to make a portable mini-ironing blanket. Use it next to your sewing machine for quick presses. Or, create a larger ironing blanket, any size of your choice, with the same transportability. It could easily be used as an ironing board substitute or for travel. Either way, you can custom-make these projects easily with my sew simple techniques.

I like the closet organizer as it could also be useful to store rolls of stabilizers.

Maureen HigginsFebruary 26, 2016

I love the cosmetic bags. So easy but so pretty. My friends and I are all turning 60 this year. I’ve decided to make a bag for each of us to celebrate our big year. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kay StatomFebruary 25, 2016

I love the ironing blanket. It saves time and space when I am not making a large project and it is easy to store

Linda RupeFebruary 25, 2016

I love the ironing blanket. Ironing is so important, I think everyone should have one of these next to their machines.

ReneaFebruary 25, 2016

i really like the closet organizer. thanks for the great giveaway.

Dawn WeidemanFebruary 25, 2016

Love the ironing blanket! Much better than the one I purchased.

Ola NormanFebruary 25, 2016

I like the ironing blanket.

Nanette EdmondsFebruary 25, 2016

I love the jewelry caddy!!! Use at home or on the go….

Carol NetzlerFebruary 25, 2016

My favorite is the ironing mat. Perfect for travel and quick pressing.

BereniceFebruary 25, 2016

I need the ironing mat!

MartyFebruary 25, 2016

Jewelry Caddied will be perfect gifts for the young career women on my list!

BonnyeFebruary 25, 2016

The ironing blanket would be perfect for me. I have to walk in the other room to use my iron. This portable ironing blanket would allow me more time to sew.

LorijFebruary 25, 2016

The organizer and ironing blanket. The organizer is very needed for right now. I have a little space and a lot of sewing things.

KarenFebruary 25, 2016

I do admire that portable ironing blanket. Right now I am using a folded up towel but the heat resistant fabric has some distinct advantages. i am away from my home and at my elderly parents a lot and a full sized ironing board is a real trip hazard. Thanks for the great idea for a simple solution!

Gail BeamFebruary 25, 2016

So hard to choose which project to pick. I love the closet organizer because it could be used to hold so many different things. When I travel to my daughter’s house I have to take a portable sewing bag with me that includes everything you need to sew with, as she always has things for me to repair and her sewing equipment consists of one needle, scissors that do not cut, and those teeny tiny spools of thread. This would be perfect for a travel sewing roll up bag. Love this new video and tutorial!

DeannaFebruary 25, 2016

The closet organizer is my favorite. You could use it for so many things.

Good afternoon- think the first one I would make out of today’s list is the closet organizer for my yarn or material- instead of shoes- thanks for the ideas

Sharon KirryFebruary 25, 2016

I really like the ironing mat as its so portable.

Jan N.February 25, 2016

The closet organizer is my favorite. I would use it to store my rolled up interfacing.

Mom CFebruary 25, 2016

I like the weekender bag, but the closet organizer looks very interesting. Always looking for a better ironing mat too. Thanks.

DawnFebruary 25, 2016

I like the portable ironing surface for taking a quilting class. On the other hand, I could use the shoe organizer also.

Bev HancoxFebruary 25, 2016

my favorite project from the series is the tote bags. I’ve made some for spring and summer and they’re also handy at the grocery store for “bringing home the bacon”.

Rhonda D in KYFebruary 25, 2016

The ironing blanket would be a perfect project for me. I have my sewing machine in one room and the rest of my quilting supplies and cutting table in another room. Thanks for all the inspiration you provide and the chance to win one of your books.

FayeFebruary 25, 2016

All of these are great and would make wonderful gifts, too!
The ironing blanket is the one I would like to try first.

SaralynNFebruary 25, 2016

The wallpocket is wonderful. It could replace a basket in the kitchen used to keep papers that go to the office.

StarlaFebruary 25, 2016

Boy, do I need to make some closet organizers! The see-through vinyl would be very helpful.

PeggyFebruary 25, 2016

I really like the portable ironing blanket. This would be of great value to use on my work station.

CarolineFebruary 25, 2016

Yep, made that portable ironing mat,, and everyone loves it!

PatFebruary 25, 2016

The ironing blanket is my favorite. I is just the thing to have next to the sewing machine for easy press as you sew.

CherylFebruary 25, 2016

The portable ironing blanket would make a great gift for someone going off to college or anyone living in a place with limited space.

craftygrammaFebruary 25, 2016

I plan to make the jewelry caddy but use it for EPP handwork; I am currently making hexagons and don’t love the carrier I bought for them!
thanks and well wishes

Karen L.February 25, 2016

The portable ironing blanket would be handy for any quilter/sewer espcially if they like to go to classes or retreats. For those of us who like to be organized, the closet organizer would be super.

Mary BFebruary 25, 2016

I agree with so many others, I could find so many ways to use the ironing blanket. Love it !!

Ann SFebruary 25, 2016

The Closet organizer is quite versatile I can see storing my stabilizers in it and hanging on the wall. That’s my favorite

LindaFebruary 25, 2016

Wow, I really need the closet organizer for my shoes. I have just the place to hang it!

Liz O.February 25, 2016

First of all thank you for all the video tutorials and the fantastic ideas! I love all of them but right now I am going to try the closet organizer, it is a fantastic idea for keeping quilting or sewing project materials tgether for on the go, I only would replace the top oppening with a zippered pocket to keep notions stored. I also need to make the pattern weights and the gadget pillos/stand… I will be very busy sewing with squares and rectangles, thank you again for the oportunity to lear and win!
Have a wonderful day!

Kim HFebruary 25, 2016

I LOVE the Jewelry organizer! Not only that, I need it!!!

JoyceFebruary 25, 2016

I think the closet organizer is my favorite. I would make a few for gifts, also.

Barb JohnsonFebruary 25, 2016

I will be making the closet organizer – get all my flip-flops organized in one spot

Ruth LutzFebruary 25, 2016

Nancy,
I love the portable ironing blanket! What a great thing to throw into a suitcase or use next to your sewing machine? Thanks!

Connie L.February 25, 2016

Love all of your ideas…would probably sew up all of the organizers.

Barb JohnsonFebruary 25, 2016

I will be making the closet organizer – will get all my flip-flops organized and in one handy spot

Dee-Ann GniewekFebruary 25, 2016

I would have to start with the Ironing Blanket and then the Jewelry Roll Up.

LeslieFebruary 25, 2016

The portable ironing blanket is by far the best item to make. I can take it anywhere… classes, workshops, even for travel for small touchups.

One of my favorite projects from the Sew Simple Rectangles and Squares would be the portable ironing blanket. Great to take to classes and also to have next to my sewing/embroidery machine. One of your other shows was about “In the Hoop” flip & sew blocks, placing an ironing pad under the hoop to iron back the sewn pieces, removing to continue embroidery, then repeating the process. I’m currently doing some paper-piecing with the sew, flip, press
method which would be another great use for the portable ironing pad.

Donna FecteauFebruary 25, 2016

I think that the first thing I will make will be the portable ironing mat. I belong to a quilting group and it would be nice to have my own ironing spot. however, I also love the jewelry caddy and plan to make one for myself.

Florence DFebruary 25, 2016

I think the portable ironing blanket would be great to make. I could use it when doing paper piecing right at my machine.

CyndiFebruary 25, 2016

I think the jewelry case would be fun. You could make one for each trip or special event!! They would also make a great girlfriend gift or a great way to give someone a necklace.
Thank you for the give away!

Peg GFebruary 25, 2016

The ironing blanket would be the most useful for me.

Susan SnyderFebruary 25, 2016

I love the jewelry organizer. It will be a great item to take when I travel and a wonderful gift to make for friends.

ShaelaFebruary 25, 2016

The jewelry roll is my favourite-it’s traveling with me now!

Linda E in AZFebruary 25, 2016

that closet organizer would be great since my closets are a mess!
thanks!

Mary SmithFebruary 25, 2016

Who wouldn’t love to have the ironing mat? What a perfect way to just sit and sew with the mat on one side of your machine and a small rotary mat on the other side. I might just be able to sew and finish my project in one sitting!

KayZeeFebruary 25, 2016

I like the jewelry caddy. I think it’d be a great gift for those who travel.

Catherine StieleFebruary 25, 2016

I like the closet organizer, would be handy to have!

Cindy bFebruary 25, 2016

I love the jewelry caddies

Diane CFebruary 25, 2016

The portable
ironing sheet

Diana GFebruary 25, 2016

Thanks for the chance to win !

Its a toss up between the jewelry roll and the portable ironing blanket. As both would be great for on the go !